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Sunday, July 30, 2017

Burnt Peak Fire Burns Approximately 60 Acres

At approximately 6:15 p.m., an Oregon
Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District reconnaissance aircraft was
searching for a report of smoke in the area just north of Butte Falls. Air
attack not only located the Olsen Fire which was knocked down at 1/10th
of an acre, but also spotted a small, steady column building roughly 10-15
miles away. Immediately, multiple ODF Southwest engines, dozers, water tenders
and two Type 2 helicopters were dispatched to the Burnt Peak Fire.

The initial size-up of the fire from
the air was estimated to be 1-3 acres. The fire was quick moving, burning in
steep terrain with wind shifts manipulating the direction of growth constantly.
An additional Type 1 helicopter and two LATs (Large Air Tankers) were ordered
to assist preliminary air operations. From 6:45 p.m. til 9:00 p.m., a total of
five runs were made with the air tankers, which is equal to 15,000 gallons of
retardant. Dozens of water drops were made collectively by the three
helicopters. In order to continue using our air firefighting resources, a TFR
(Temporary Flight Restriction) will be in effect beginning tomorrow at 6:00
a.m. For more information regarding the TFR over the Burnt Peak Fire as well as
others in effect throughout the region, please visit www.tfr.faa.gov.

While air operations worked on the
fire, ground resources were facing accessibility challenges due to steep slopes
combined with limited road infrastructure. By the time the first engine engaged
with the fire, the size was estimated at 20 acres. Crews worked on attacking
the fire as aggressively and directly as possible; however, the wind shifts
created a dangerous and difficult fire fight as spotting continued along the
ridgeline. Firefighters were able to begin flanking the fire near sundown, but
anticipate gusty winds throughout the night.

The Burnt Peak Fire, burning three air
miles north of Lost Creek Lake, is estimated to be 60 acres as of 11 p.m.
tonight. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There are no structures
threatened; no evacuation notices have been issued. The closest structure is
roughly three miles southwest of the fire along Elk Creek Road in Trail. There
will be heavy fire traffic throughout the area. Please avoid the road, if
possible.

Although no evacuation orders are in
effect, it is a good time to make sure your family’s evacuation plan is
refreshed and ready. To learn more about the state of Oregon’s three level
evacuation process and how you can be prepared when wildfire strikes, visit the
Rogue Valley Emergency Management page. The
fire danger level throughout Jackson and Josephine Counties moves to ‘extreme’
Monday. For a reminder of what public fire restrictions will take effect, visit
our Facebook page, ODF Southwest.